Eric Clapton to headline British Summer Time 2018

Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton (Image credit: Getty)

Eric Clapton has been confirmed as one of headliners for next year’s Barclaycard presents British Summer Time at London’s Hyde Park.

He’ll take to the stage on July 8, where he’ll be joined by special guests Santana, Steve Winwood and Gary Clarke Jr – with further artists to be announced in due course.

Clapton first played at Hyde Park in front of 120,000 people with Blind Faith in 1969 alongside bandmates Winwood, Ginger Baker and Rick Grech. Slowhand returned in 1996 and again in 2008.

Clapton says: “I have happy memories of performing in Hyde Park in the past and I’m really looking forward to playing there again – the whole atmosphere is very special.”

Last month, it was announced that Roger Waters would bring his Us + Them tour to Hyde Park on July 6.

Head of events, filming and commercial development at the Royal Parks, Alun Mainwaring says: “Since 2013, BST Hyde Park has become the homecoming for the world’s greatest artists.

“First, it was the Rolling Stones and now, in 2018 Roger Waters and Eric Clapton will return to the park, nearly half a century after their famous 196970 performances. We can’t wait to welcome them back.”

There will be a Barclaycard pre-sale today (November 27) at 9am and an Amazon pre-sale on November 29 from 9am. Tickets will go on general sale from 9am on December 1.

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Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.